Istanbul’s Mecidiyeköy neighborhood was turned into a battlefield on Thursday night when police clashed with demonstrators. The protesters had organized a rally to expose the violence of the police after the death of retired teacher Metin Lokumcu. Lokumcu suffered an heart attack after been caught in clashes ahead of Prime Minister Erdoðan election meeting in Hopa (Artvin).

On Thursday a march was organized in Istanbul by left parties. The march soon turned nasty when police attacked the protesters. Dozens have been taken into custody.

The protesters were reportedly members of the Freedom and Democracy Party (ÖDP) and other leftist associations in Turkey. The group also read out a press release in front of the Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) office in Ýstanbul’s Þiþli district, condemning the death of the protester in northeastern Turkey.

On Wednesday Artvin Governor Mustafa Yemlihalýoðlu and Artvin Police Chief Muhsin Armaðan had announced their resignations. The province's security officials have been criticized for failing to take necessary precautions prior to the events that took place on Tuesday.

The Governor and Police Chief resigned following the handle of a protest against the Prime Minister's election rally in Hopa.